11 March 2021
Coming Up
COVID-19 Update
Visit the COVID-19 update section of our website for all COVID-19 information.
Beyond the Bell
Bridge the Gap Summer Camp
Registration for Bridge the Gap Summer Camp 2021 is now open!

View program offerings here.
Session 3 Clubs
Session 3 Clubs begin Monday, April 5th. Access offerings here.

Sign-up is now open via Smart Tuition. Scholarships available, email Kaitlin.Walsh@aowl.org for more information.
Upcoming Activity Days
Friday, March 12 (conferences). In-school, 8:00 - 3:00. $90

Monday, March 29th - Friday, April 2nd (Spring Break). 8:00 - 3:00. $90/day or $400/week.

Register via Smart Tuition or email Kaitlin.Walsh@aowl.org.
Wyayn's Words
Please join me in thanking Aki Yoshino, parent and trustee, who at the bequest of the Minnesota Independent School Forum, testified before the MN Senate Committee on Education Finance and Policy yesterday in support of Senate File 1525. This proposed bill would create Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) for families in Minnesota. Here is the link to Monday’s hearing with Aki’s testimony 

Some items of note:

It creates legislation that gives power and autonomy to parents/families in selecting their education of choice, including tuition at nonpublic schools, but a large suite of other services to assist students. While not “vouchers” it gives even greater flexibility in uses.

Senator Roger Chamberlain, committee chair, is the chief author of the bill. The bill, thanks to Senator Chamberlain and Aki, passed 5-4 along party lines. It’s expected the bill will be laid over for possible inclusion in a final education bill, but it will be a tough battle. If it is included in the final bill or is sent to the House, you will hear more from Aki and me on how to contact your state legislators to support this bill. This should not be a partisan issue. More than half the states give support to families seeking private school education for special education students. Minnesota should step up and support this legislation on behalf of the families of special education students. 

In other big news, our very own Robert and Teri Crosby have been selected by an independent committee of the Minnesota Independent School Forum as the Community Champions of 2021! Robert and Teri were nominated because of their volunteership, Teri's board service, The Robert Crosby Scholarship, their philanthropic support of AOWL and more. Congratulations Robert and Teri! You have changed the lives of children in our community and are so deserving of this award. Robert and Teri will be acknowledged and honored at the MISF Educational Awards ceremony on April 29. 

Thank you, Robert, Teri, and Aki, for your invaluable service. You are changing lives.
Family Corner
Click the photos to enlarge
Adult Education Information Night
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Mar 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Topic: AOWL Adult Education Information Night

Register here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
2020-2021 Calendar
The 2021-2022 School Calendar is now available for your reference. The state of MN requires 935 instructional hours per year for elementary and 1,020 for middle and high school. The AOWL calendar for next year allows our teaching staff over 1,070 instructional hours with our students!

You may view the calendar by clicking here.
Please note that dates are subject to change, but our website is regularly updated.
Re-enrollment
With the implementation of Evergreen Contracts, the contract you signed for the current school year ensures continuous enrollment for your child at AOWL. This means that you don’t have to hassle with a contract every year; your student will be automatically enrolled in the next school year unless you notify admissions@aowl.org of withdrawal by March 12th.

For your convenience, we will be placing a $1000 deposit for next year on your SmartTuition account after March 12th.

We are honored to serve all of our AOWL students and families, and we look forward to seeing your family again next year.
Parent Support Group
March 12, 9:00 - 10:00 am. Please RSVP by contacting Sunni.Myers@aowl.org.
PTO Meeting
The next PTO Meeting date is Thursday, April 8 from 4:30 - 5:30 pm.

Check out the Parent Calendar for the link to join. A text will also be sent the day of the meeting with the meeting link.

All AOWL parents and caregivers are welcome!
Virtual Minds of All Kinds Annual Fundraiser
Minds of All Kinds is Virtual this year!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 6th, 2021, 7-8 pm. You can check out our fundraising page and donate today---your gift will be doubled with our matching grant!
Spirit Week
Spirit Week is March 22nd - March 26th!

Daily themes chosen by student council:

Monday: Spirit Day - wear AOWL gear

Tuesday: Color Day

Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday - wear your wackiest wardrobe!

Thursday: Animal Day - wear animal print or dress up like an animal

Friday: Pajama Day
Yearbook Orders
Yearbooks on sale now!
 
Capture your child's best memories of the year. Created by students, for students! 
  • You can order online by visiting here, enter the city and state and you will be able to locate our store.
  • You can pay by cash or a check to the school.  
  • Cost: $28
  • All sales are due by April 16.
  • Yearbooks will be shipped to the school.

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Georgette
Thank you!
Thank you to all of you who were able to join us live online for our 2021 Annual Parent Meeting!
If you were not able to attend online and would like to watch the recording, please send your request in an email to office@aowl.org.

The questions submitted to our Q&A are requiring additional time and consideration -- please stay tuned, and we will send out another communication with answers to your questions in the coming weeks.
Conferences
Conferences started yesterday evening, Wednesday, March 10 and continue tonight, Thursday, March 11 and all day on Friday, March 12. There will be no classes on Friday, March 12, but read the Beyond the Bell segment for information on our Activity Day offering. Contact your student's case manager with any specific conference questions.

Note from PTO Co-Chairs Audra Williams and Kerry Brown: It's not too late to donate to teacher meals! Please Venmo your contribution to AOWL-PTO, or drop off a check or cash at the front desk. Thank you!
Contacts
2020-21 Board-Parent Liaison
PTO Co-chairs
Attention Minnetonka and Tulaby Families!
As you know, our math programming and math staff have undergone significant transitions this year. To help remediate the challenges that have resulted, we are offering a free math support program this summer, and current Minnetonka and Tullaby students are eligible!

Details:

The program will be offered July 19 - August 6

Hours: 8 AM - 12 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Students will be assigned a block of time within the offered hours.

The program will focus on additional time to complete coursework, practice and reinforcement of skills, and preparation for next year’s math courses.

This will be an in-person program only. We are not able to offer this program virtually.

Why not everyone? Minnetonka and Tulaby students were most significantly impacted by the changes in staffing/programming this year, and Pigeon River and Lake Superior have been in good hands with Ms. Colleen's diligent support.

To sign up for the program, contact office@aowl.org.
View from the Nest
Staff Highlights!
Kelly Crampton
Social Studies Teacher

Kelly holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in Teaching Social Studies with a minor in coaching. Prior to working at Academy of Whole Learning, Kelly worked at a Charter School teaching High School Social Studies.
Colleen Farley
Teacher Associate/Art Specialist

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in health science from from the University of Minnesota - Rochester. At Academy of Whole Learning, Colleen works with all groups of students through visual arts media. She also supports students and staff in the classroom as a teacher associate. 
Courtney Glazier
Classroom Teacher

Courtney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in special education from graduated from Minnesota State University -Mankato. She has a Minnesota Teaching License for K-12 students with disabilities.